April 03, 2012

To accuse others for one’s misfortunes is a sign of want of education. To accuse oneself shows that one’s education has begun. To accuse neither oneself nor others shows one’s education is complete. Epictetus

Many promising reconciliations have broken down because, while both parties came prepared to forgive, neither party came prepared to be forgiven. Charles Williams

Most of us can forgive and forget; we just don’t want the other person to forget that we forgave. Ivern Ball

We have only one person to blame, and that’s each other. Barry Beck – New York Ranger, on who started a brawl

A guilty conscience needs no accuser. Proverb

No! No! Sentence first-verdict afterwards. Lewis Carroll

Crime expands according to our willingness to put up with it. Barry Farber

Little thieves are hanged, but great ones escape. Proverb

I haven’t committed a crime. What I did was fail to comply with the law. David Dinkins –Fmr. New York City Mayor

The full Moon in April falls on April 7 in Australia and April 6 in the United States. This full Moon is another doozy - and, as my friend Linda Reid pointed out, the moon is at perigee, which makes it a 'supermoon', a particularly strong and emphatic one, especially around relationships and friendships - and the Symbol for it sounds much more difficult than it often turns out to be - there is plenty of room for hope, as this can be about loosening the grips that are holding you down or where you don't want to be. Have you experienced or noticed how 'held back', frustrating and complicated the energy has been lately? Many are reporting that these are 'extremely interesting times', perhaps it's time to take off the handcuffs and restraints.

‘Two Men’ are 'Placed Under Arrest’. They have to ‘Give an Accounting For Their Acts Before the Tribunal of Society’. They are standing before some representative or authority and speaking about how they have acted against the rules and codes of ‘Society’. The fact that they are ‘Placed Under Arrest’ doesn’t have to mean that they are literally taken away by the police. This can show that they are held back by circumstances, people or experiences and they feel stuck, unable to move or stripped of their freedom. This can be rather compromising to one’s integrity, ideals and strength of character.

With this Symbol, people’s ideas or actions may be under criticism or examination, to the point of feeling that someone has offended social responsibility and acceptability. Some may have to justify or explain themselves, and relationships can be held in limbo until all the facts come to light. There may be a need to be thoughtful about the situation, because it may be nothing but a suspicion at this point. The “case” could well be dismissed, with people forgiven or let off the hook, but with suspicion in the air, what permanent damage has already been done? Often a sense of trust and a belief in the goodness of people and things is necessary. An attitude of forgiveness may be really important to move through this situation with one’s sense of pride intact. Being charged with an offense can drive people apart, with each trying to save their own neck. How long can someone be “handcuffed”, either to themselves or to another?Imagining the removal of “the cuffs” could lead to a turn around in the situation. People in positions of power, physical or emotional, should show mercy so others can also forgive and forget and get on with their lives. Ultimately, the goal must lead to freedom.

Keywords: Having to plead one’s case. The need for “legal help”. Unacceptable principles. Blowing the whistle. Pointing at others to get off charges. People unable to relate. The “Romeo and Juliet” story. Feeling caught out. Restrictions. Saturn. Karma to be worked out. Being framed. Circumstances out of control. People in handcuffs. Identification parades. Police. The law. Lawyers. Judges. Juries. Tribunals.

The Caution: Refusing to conform to society’s mores. The sabotage of relationship values. Feeling stuck, unable to move. Staying in relationships when one should move on. Deadening emotions. Shutting off to cope with others. Not having one’s point of view heard. Losing one’s authority. Being bound karmically. Being tied up and limited.

There are many ways that this Symbol can reveal itself, too many to list, but amongst the ramifications could be friendships or relationships under stress and strain, perhaps breaking down entirely to the point of no contact, people separating for some reason, the need to let go of the past (shake off the handcuffs), money problems and people stepping over the line. It can, of course, indicate relationships moving to a new level through a feeling of unity and brotherhood (sometimes against a larger force that's 'out there'), commitments can be made and pledges of loyalty. However, there's bound to be a lot of sorting things out.

The Karmic Condition of this full Moon is Libra 17: A Retired Sea Captain Watches Ships Entering And Leaving The Harbor.

Keywords: Memories and peaceful contemplation. Disconnection from the past and concentrating on more immediate circumstances. Fatigue and the need for rest. Being a spectator rather than a participant. Being part of an audience. Voyeurism. Turning to more domestic pursuits. Writing one’s memoirs. Nostalgia. Safe ports or harbors.

The Caution: A cop-out, escaping from reality. Relying on past experiences. A need to defend one’s shoreline. Losing faith in life. Staring at lost opportunities and times gone by. Not wanting to participate in life. Losing interest in the struggle. Disillusionment.

Perhaps there's a strong desire to drop out, have some quiet and peaceful contemplation, or just to be able to sit and contemplate your next move. However, the 'Sea Captain' may not find it too easy to sit down. The Sun indicates that there's probably a lot to be done. The Sun is on Aries 18: An Empty Hammock Hangs Between Two Lovely Trees.

Keywords: Detachment. Abandonment. Having too much to do to be able to rest. Issues to do with sleep. Sleeping difficulties. Planning for days off or for retirement. Hustle and bustle. Memories of loved ones. Lounging or sitting under trees. Having permission to stop. Time out. Missing a lover. Beds, sheets ,pillows, sofas. A favorite chair. Holidays.

The Caution: Deliberately pushing when in need of rest OR not being involved in life’s complexities. Dodging responsibilities. Having nowhere to stay rest or retire. Neglecting time for oneself .Too much work and no play. Areas of life which are not fulfilled. Having so much work there’s no time for relationships. Always being on the go.

The Quest degree (the degree after the full Moon) shows how we need to be aware of the thoughts, messages, desires, sabotage mechanisms, etc, that might be running through our mind. The Symbol is Libra 19: A Gang Of Robbers In Hiding. I stress here that this does not mean that a robbery is going to actually take place, or that you should feel unsafe. Rather, it is more often that the 'robbers' are the thoughts that crowd, surround and sabotage. Of course, it can be that we allow others to take what they want without regard for our feelings or disturb or annoy with their responses to us. Naturally, the same can be said for our own behaviour. The Libra full Moon is very much a mirror of relationship issues - reflective of 'me' and 'you'.

Venus is on Gemini 3: The Charming Court Life At The Garden Of The Tuileries In Paris. This shows a love of beauty and the desire to lead a 'Charming' life, it can also show a desire to spend money, to be extravagant - to have the lot. It's a beautiful degree and Venus can bring charm and grace to it, but there can also be the political struggles that go on behind closed doors with agreements and deals made or lost. This degree can speak of power, money and privilege. "The Garden" can bring rewards from hard work to fruition with much to be proud of.

Keywords: A love of form and tradition. Cultivation of beautiful places. Symmetry of form being shown at its best. Gardens and gardeners. Garden ornaments. Statues. Having hired help to keep things beautiful or under one’s control. Taking time to work in the garden. Going first class. Being in the inner circle. Pots, plants. Wealth. Tradition. Affluence and influence. Big houses and rooms. Ample amenities.

The Caution: Behaving in an elitist fashion. Being bossy. Snobbishness that separates people from each other. Being spoilt and shallow. Having more than one truly needs. Treating people like underlings or servants. Expecting others to do everything. Class-consciousness. Jealousy.

Complicating relationship issues is Neptune exactly squaring Venus. Neptune's message seems to be about records and remnants from the past. The Symbol for Neptune is Pisces 3: A Petrified Forest, An Eternal Record Of A Life Lived Long Ago. For many, this will be a time of going over old memories, photographs and memorabilia and old stories. It can also be about things "set in stone" and financial records such as tax receipts and issues.

The Caution: Rigidity, immobility, inflexibility. Being frozen. Not letting go of difficulties. Hanging on for grim death. Feeling stuck or frozen. Destroying things that are old. Severing links to the past. Keeping tabs. Memories that destroy the present.

Mercury is going direct after being retrograde and it's going over an interesting degree that describes a choice that needs to be made. The Symbol is Pisces 25: The Purging Of The Priesthood. This Symbol shows realizations about who has the right to be in your life (to be listened to, considered, respect, etc) and who has not. Many will find themselves turning away from those they previously spent time with or gave authority to. In the larger scheme, there are likely to be some who reveal their true colors and fall from grace. With Mercury here, an issue may have been boiling away in the background, but now it's a matter of drawing a line in the sand around who you 'let in' and 'trust'.

As we are coming to the end of Mars retrograde, energy is going to start freeing up in some measure at least. However, the frustrations that many have felt are likely to still need to be worked out and there could be some tensions in the air via Mars being opposite Neptune and square Venus. See the chart for details of this big grand cross (I have taken out the other aspects and left in the squares and oppositions).

Mars is set to move forward on April 14, although it will take a while to get going. The Sabian Symbol is Virgo 5: A Man Becoming Aware Of Nature Spirits And Normally Unseen Spiritual Energies. This will amplify the ability (or the need) to be able to pick up subtle forces, energy bodies and issues involving the normally unseen or unnoticed. It can also show not taking notice of what's really going on.

Mars will station and turn direct on Virgo 4: Black And White Children Playing Happily Together. As this is Mars, there is a tension around people from diverse backgrounds, ethnic races, social or political stratas and other situations where there is a projection of 'the shadow' on others. Mars here might be pushing us out of our comfort zones and into a new experience with the world on many levels. Acceptance and love is key to situations here, and, as it is Mars here, there can be a need to drop ones prejudices in order to accept people and situations more fully.

Also involved in the big grand cross are the Moon's karmic nodes. The south node is on Gemini 7: An Old-Fashioned Well With The Purest And Coldest Of Waters.

Keywords: Knowing how to be nourished and satisfied. Being supported by the environment. Clarity of thought and perception. Links to the past that are deep and sustaining. Drawing on deep resources. Things you can draw and rely upon. The pool of universal experience. Oasis. Believing in others. Ensuring water supplies. Cool, refreshing water.

The Caution: Not trusting advice based on established ideas. Being naive to the sincerity and depth of others. Judging by appearances. Not recognizing inner values. Droughts, emotional and literal. The well drying up, leaving nothing to nourish. Muddying of issues that make them difficult or impossible to tap. Stagnant water. Poisons. Moulds. Narcissism. Insincere. Lack of depth.

The I-Ching speaks of drawing from the well in Hexagram 48 and this Symbol is a clear reflection of the idea of having to put ones bucket deep down into the well in order to draw out the sustaining waters. Likewise, we, at times, have to reach deep down into our reserves to find our inner strength, resilience and a sense of refreshment.

The moon's north node is Sagittarius 7: Cupid Knocking At The Door Of A Human Heart. This is a beautiful Symbol and it seems to be a bit of an antidote to the more difficult energies expressed in this full Moon, especially as they relate to relationships and friendships. It speaks of opening your heart, laying it bare so another can enter that sacred space. The asteroid Juno, which rules over committed relationships and love, is also on this degree. Perhaps gay marriage is set to become an even bigger issue? Certainly, the idea of opening the heart is amplified with Juno conjunct the north node on this Cupid degree.

Keywords: Respectful invitation of love. Seeing purity of motive. Commitments. Romance. A key or an arrow. Cupids and cherubs. Unlocking the heart. One-pointed, focused energy, which can become obsessive. Softening one’s boundaries. Cupid’s bow. The need to lighten up one’s approach to others.

The Caution: Waiting instead of taking the initiative. Rejecting love or emotion for fear of losing independence. Keeping up a strong, brave, severe face when one could be loosening up and enjoying another. Barriers and defenses around the heart. Seeing potential lovers in everyone. Being attracted to those you wouldn’t normally notice.

Chiron (the Wounded Healer and The Stories We Tell Ourselves) is smack in this grand cross at Pisces 8: A Girl Blowing A Bugle. Perhaps it's time that you spoke your mind about what's going on for you. It could be that someone close to you wants to be heard, as well. Time for some announcements?

Keywords: Sounding the call. Awakening all to action. Going on and on about something. Loud speakers, telephones, announcements. Being prepared to state one’s case. Calling attention to oneself. Blowing your own trumpet. Whistle blowers. Heralding and proclaiming the dawn. Rise and shine! Girls in a man’s world. Leading the charge. Resurrection. Mass announcements. Advertising campaigns. Alarm clocks. Ear plugs. Blind folds.

The Caution: Making unwarranted and disturbing noise. Showing off. Unbalanced messages. Evangelists and politicians. Sounding the call but not making the grade. Being annoying. Trumpeting about one’s achievements. Not listening to people.

Jupiter is mid-way through Taurus and on a rather encouraging, if not difficult, degree. It's Taurus 15: A Man With Silk Hat Muffled Against The Cold Braves A Storm. It shows the need to keep a brave face and to keep on ploughing on.

Keywords: Inner poise being more important than outer appearances. Braving stormy emotional weather. Ploughing on through difficulties. Being willing to weather storms and take on the hard times. Having tasks or errands to perform when one would rather not. Hats, scarves and muffles.

The Caution: Not wanting to show your true feelings. Putting on a superficial show of strength. Not noticing when things improve, always battling the “elements”. Complaining and whining instead of getting on with the task at hand. Wanting to be pampered and not face up to life’s storms. Considering appearances before all else. Superficiality.

With the issue of feeling 'arrested', caged in or held back, Uranus might be bringing a message of freedom. The Symbol is Aries 6: A Square Brightly Lighted On One Side.

Keywords: Illuminated solutions that provide ways out of tight situations. Having to put up walls to protect the sides of things. Putting all your eggs in one basket. Feeling fully contained. Walls and fences. Boxes. Understanding the borders of one’s activities. Looking for stabilization. Lighting up dark corners. Sunshine. Stepping outside the square.

This is a long newsletter. It reminds me of the quote "Excuse the length of this letter, I had no time to be brief".

Comments

To accuse others for one’s misfortunes is a sign of want of education. To accuse oneself shows that one’s education has begun. To accuse neither oneself nor others shows one’s education is complete. Epictetus

Many promising reconciliations have broken down because, while both parties came prepared to forgive, neither party came prepared to be forgiven. Charles Williams

Most of us can forgive and forget; we just don’t want the other person to forget that we forgave. Ivern Ball

We have only one person to blame, and that’s each other. Barry Beck – New York Ranger, on who started a brawl

A guilty conscience needs no accuser. Proverb

No! No! Sentence first-verdict afterwards. Lewis Carroll

Crime expands according to our willingness to put up with it. Barry Farber

Little thieves are hanged, but great ones escape. Proverb

I haven’t committed a crime. What I did was fail to comply with the law. David Dinkins –Fmr. New York City Mayor

The full Moon in April falls on April 7 in Australia and April 6 in the United States. This full Moon is another doozy - and, as my friend Linda Reid pointed out, the moon is at perigee, which makes it a 'supermoon', a particularly strong and emphatic one, especially around relationships and friendships - and the Symbol for it sounds much more difficult than it often turns out to be - there is plenty of room for hope, as this can be about loosening the grips that are holding you down or where you don't want to be. Have you experienced or noticed how 'held back', frustrating and complicated the energy has been lately? Many are reporting that these are 'extremely interesting times', perhaps it's time to take off the handcuffs and restraints.